On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, the Supreme Court of California suspended attorney Eric Anthony Teti for one year for failure to comply with the conditions attached to the public reproval administered to the respondent.

The case is entitled “In the matter of Eric Anthony Teti” with case no. S277359.

The Charges cited Rules of Professional Conduct 8.1 which states:

Failure to Comply with Reproval Conditions.

The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

On December 10, 2021, the State Bar Court issued a Notice of Disciplinary Charges against attorney Eric Anthony Teti. As per the Notice, the court reminded that if the Respondent failed to file a written answer to the Notice within 20 days, or if he failed to appear at the trial, it will result in the respondent’s status of being inactive and will not be permitted to practice law. Further, the respondent will not be permitted to participate in the proceedings unless he makes a timely Motion. Allegedly, the respondent failed to comply with the conditions attached to the public reproval administered to the respondent by the State Bar.

On January 7, 2022, Teti filed a Response to the Disciplinary Charges. Teti’s response generally denied any willful or intentional violations charged against him. He justified that any violations found by the court were caused by a combination of mental health issues and his addiction.

The filing states:

“Respondent asserts there is a nexus between any alleged failures to comply and his suffering from anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Specifically, shortly before being placed on probation, the respondent left his job at the San Bernardino Public Defender’s office due to stress related to working through the initial Corona pandemic and partial closure of the Courts. This caused him significant financial and mental health issues which are currently being addressed.”

Despite the justifications of the Respondent, the Supreme Court of California decided to suspend the respondent from the practice of law for one year.

The Disposition states:

“The court orders that Eric Anthony Teti (Respondent), State Bar Number 241941, is suspended from the practice of law in California for one year, execution of that period of suspension is stayed, and Respondent is placed on probation for one year subject to the following conditions:

1. Respondent is suspended from the practice of law for the first 60 days of probation;
2. Respondent must comply with the other conditions of probation recommended by the Hearing Department of the State Bar Court in its Order Approving Stipulation filed on October 13, 2022; and
3. At the expiration of the period of probation, if the Respondent has complied with all conditions of probation, the period of stayed suspension will be satisfied and that suspension will be terminated.”

As of today, Mr. Teti is listed as San Bernandino Public Defender. His info can be found on lawyer. com. He attended Western State University College of Law. He practices in San Bernandino, California.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.